Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net									$ 962		$ 973		$ 972
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ (152)	$ (83)	$ (1,543)	$ 63	$ (91)	$ 121	$ 214	$ 168	(1,715)	[1]	411	[1]	342
Tax benefit									104		(116)		(82)
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders	$ (220)	$ (79)	$ (1,432)	$ 11	$ (83)	$ 52	$ 111	$ 79	(1,721)	[1]	158	[1]	$ 92
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense, net									(54)		(42)
Tax benefit									20		15
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders									(34)		(27)
Change in Unrecognized Pension Cost Components [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax									(1)		(2)
Change in Unrecognized Pension Cost Components [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of defined benefit pension items - Prior service costs									(2)		(1)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes									(3)		(3)
Tax benefit									1		1
Net (loss) income attributable to Community Health Systems, Inc. stockholders									$ (2)		$ (2)

[1] Total quarterly amounts may not add due to rounding.